Mocs Gameday: Furman at UTC

Mocs Gameday: Furman at UTC

October 28th, 2011by John Frierson in Local Regional News

Furman (4-3, 3-2) at UTC (4-4, 2-3)

2 p.m. • Finley Stadium • 105.1 FM

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga snapped a 15-game losing streak to Furman last season with a stunning comeback. The Mocs still haven't defeated the Paladins in Chattanooga since Nov. 20, 1993, long before the city even broke ground on Finley Stadium. Furman scored the biggest upset in the Southern Conference this season last week when it knocked off then-No. 4 Wofford 26-21.

WHEN UTC HAS THE BALL

UTC OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB Terrell Robinson (17) 6-3, 195, Fr.

TB J.J. Jackson (26) 5-9, 200, Jr.

FB Taharin Tyson (2) 5-11, 225, Fr.

WR Joel Bradford (4) 6-0, 165, Sr.

WR Marlon Anthony (3) 6-5, 205, So.

TE Faysal Shafaat (88) 6-5, 240, Fr.

LT Brandon Morgan (73) 6-2, 280, Fr.

LG Austin Wilson (54) 6-3, 265, Jr.

C Patrick Sutton (72) 6-1, 255, Fr.

RG Kevin Revis (52) 6-2, 275, So.

RT Adam Miller (53) 6-4, 275, Jr.

PK Nick Pollard (30) 6-0, 180, Fr.

FURMAN DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Josh Lynn (91) 6-5, 264, Jr.

DT Colton Keig (79) 6-4, 260, Jr.

NT Neal Rodgers (94) 6-3, 288, So.

DE Shawn Boone (90) 6-1, 224, So.

MLB Kadarron Anderson (46) 6-1, 234, Sr.

WLB Gary Wilkins (35) 6-2, 216, Fr.

BAN Mitch McGrath (20) 6-2, 203, Jr.

CB Ryan Steed (1) 5-11, 188, Sr.

SS Nathan Wade (6) 6-0, 190, Jr.

FS Greg Worthy (32) 6-1, 210, So.

CB Cortez Johnson (18) 5-11, 188, Jr.

P Chas Short (12) 6-3, 210, Sr.

• The matchup: The Mocs should have some success moving the ball against a Furman defense that ranks seventh in the Southern Conference it total defense (379.4 yards per game). Terrell Robinson has been nothing short of extraordinary since taking over for B.J. Coleman, but the more defenses see of him the more prepared they will be. And Furman has two elite defenders in linebacker Kadarron Anderson (SoCon-best 81 tackles) and cornerback Ryan Steed (11 career interceptions).

WHEN FURMAN HAS THE BALL

FURMAN OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB Chris Forcier (5) 6-3, 215, Sr.

RB Jerodis Williams (30) 5-11, 195, Jr.

WR Ryan Culbreath (4) 6-4, 215, So.

WR Sederrik Cunningham (13) 5-11, 188, Sr.

WR Tyler Maples (89) 6-1, 192, Sr.

TE Colin Anderson (88) 6-4, 231, Jr.

LT Dakota Dozier (78) 6-4, 291, So.

LG Charles Emert (54) 6-2, 254, Fr.

C Daniel Spisak (55) 6-1, 282, Sr.

RG Ryan Storms (51) 6-2, 257, So.

RT Ryan Lee (75) 6-4, 295, Sr.

PK Ray Early (39) 5-11, 175, So.

UTC DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Davis Tull (90) 6-3, 235, Fr.

DT Keyon Reed (94) 6-2, 245, Fr.

DT Josh Freeman (55) 6-0, 270, Fr.

DE Josh Williams (95) 6-2, 235, Jr.

SLB Ryan Consiglio (45) 6-1, 220, Sr.

MLB Wes Dothard (25) 6-1, 235, So.

WLB Gunner Miller (11) 6-1, 225, So.

CB Kadeem Wise (5) 5-10, 180, So.

FS D.J. Key (20) 6-0, 195, So.

SS Jordan Tippit (22) 6-0, 205, Sr.

CB Chris Lewis-Harris (6) 5-11, 175, Sr.

P Joel Bradford (4) 6-0, 165, Sr.

• The matchup: Mocs coach Russ Huesman said Furman's offensive line was the best in the SoCon and it has done a good job of both protecting Chris Forcier and opening up running lanes for Jerodis Williams, who has rushed for 778 yards this season. The Mocs defensive line is getting solid play from end Josh Williams, improved play from end Davis Tull, but the guys in the middle, all freshmen, need to have one of their better games.

THE ONE TO WATCH

Chris Forcier: The Furman quarterback has been one of the stars of the SoCon this season. With him it is all about efficiency. He leads the FCS in passing efficiency and earlier this season had a stretch of 11 touchdown passes in 26 completions. Forcier doesn't run with the frequency of UTC's Robinson, but he's got the wheels to do some damage if left alone.

IN THE END

• Breakdown: Furman's a hard team to read at this point. The Paladins get thumped 50-20 at No. 1 Georgia Southern two weeks ago, then last week they upset No. 5 Wofford 26-21. It's been that kind of season. The Mocs have had their ups and downs, too, but they appear to be putting all the pieces together in the second half of season. This is a playoff elimination game because neither team can get to seven wins if it loses (unless Furman upsets Florida in its finale). UTC keeps its hopes alive with hard-fought win.

• Prediction: UTC 33, Furman 28

For complete coverage of the game, see Sunday's Times Free Press. You can also follow beat writer John Frierson on Twitter during the game at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.